Eugen sandow



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGEN SANDOW, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

EXERClSlNG-MACHINE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,017, dated August 10, 1897.

Application filed March 13, 1897.

To all whom, it may conccrn:

Be it known that I, EUGEN SANDow, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at London, England, have invented a new and useful Improved Apparatus for Promoting Muscular or Physical Development, of which the following is a specification. i

The object of this invention is to construct a simple, economical, and efficient form of '"exei'cisei' for promoting the muscular or physical development of the human frame;

' and the invention will be readily understood from the following description on reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a side View, and Fig. 2 a face view, of an apparatus for the development of muscles, made according` to my invention. Figs. 3 and 4 show modifications thereof.

According to my invention I fix in a wall a, as shown, or in a post, door, ceiling, or other convenient position two strong metal hooks b or other similar permanent fastenings, say about six feet apart, more or less. To these I attach by one end two strong india-rubber or other springs c of, say, about two feet six inches long, or other desirable length, and I connect the other ends of these springs c together in the center between the two fixed hooks by a loop cl, formed of cord, canvas, or other suitable material of such a length that the two springs o above named shall be held in tension counteracting each other with the loop (Z, of Canvas or cord or its equivalent, against the wall at a suitable height, say about the Shoulders, or somewhat lower, or instead of the loop d I may use more than one loop linked together, as seen dotted at Fig. 4. To this loop or other equivalent device at (Z I attaoh two other india-rubber springs forming elastic cords e e, at the outer end of each of which is a handle f f.

In some cases more than two fixcd hooks may be used, as seen at Fig. 3, equidistant from and connected to a centrally-placed loop or equivalent device cl by means of springs c, the efiect being that as the center of the wallspring so formed is pulled from the wall the Serial No. 627,402. (No model.)

springs c will tend to strengthen the resistance and equalize the tension in certain movements, which in the case of the springs only fixed in one line, say perpendicularly, is not experienced. The wall-springs, as before explained, must be stretched to enable them to be fixed to the hooks.

The exercise is given by pulling at the handles f f either singly, alternately, or both together, so as to draw the loop or its equivalent at cl away from the wall or otherwise displace the same, (see dotted lines, Figs.1 and 2,) which movement is resisted by the springs c.

IVhen it is required to make the exercise more severe, this may be done by hooking on or otherwise attaching one, two, or more additional springs o' (see Fig. 4) between the loop or band or its equivalent at cl and the fixed hooks or fastenings b, so that the same exerciser can be adapted to give any`desired amount of resistance, either light, medium, or heavy, by simply booking on or removing the oorresponding number of springs. The pull may be given either horizontally, diagonally, upward, or downward, and either forward or backward, according to the efiect desired to be produced, and without creating any extra tension or strain which results when the handle-springs are fixed to or pass through fixtures to the wall or other part.

I claim as my invention- The herein-described apparatus for museular and physical development, consisting of a plurality of handles, elastic cords connected' thereto, a central device to which said cords are conn ected, and counteracting-springs connected to and supporting said central device, the said springs being fastened at their outer ends to fixtures, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EUGEN ISANDOW.

IVitnesses:

WARwIoK BRooKs, J unr., Out/[FORD LEWY; 

